The 8 Phases of Pioneering is a relational framework used to assess the health and depth of a missionary’s connection with an unreached people group. Rather than measuring activities or to-do lists, this model measures the strength of trust and the spiritual growth necessary to plant a healthy, indigenous church.
The following is an excerpt from the December 2017 edition of Ekballo Magazine, written by Steve Leston. In this piece, Steve addresses the foundational framework used by To Every Tribe to navigate the complex world of pioneer church planting.
A common question for aspiring missionaries is, “What do I actually do once my feet hit the ground?” Unfortunately, many enter the field with great zeal but no roadmap, leading to frustration, rejection by the community, and burnout. Pioneer church planting cannot be reduced to a cookie-cutter formula or a rigid system. Instead, it requires a mindset that allows the missionary to move at the speed of God and the pace of relationship.
Moving at the Pace of Relationship
Ministry is not a static transaction: it is a dynamic relationship. To make disciples, we must understand how people think, how they process the world, and how they perceive God. These eight phases serve as a guide to help missionaries assess the real state of their relationships so they can invest wisely and move as the Lord opens doors.
The 8 Phases of Pioneering
- Phase 1: Arrival – Showing the community you are here and you care. This involves living in their world, learning their rhythms, and coming alongside them in service.
- Phase 2: Trust – Building a foundation of credibility through your actions and conversations. Trust is the currency of the Gospel.
- Phase 3: Spiritual Conversations – Taking the time to listen. Before sharing answers, the missionary must understand how the people process religion and the spiritual realm.
- Phase 4: Gospel Conversations – Sharing the whole Gospel as doors open, specifically addressing how Jesus deals with shame, guilt, and the fear of evil.
- Phase 5: Nurture – Parenting new believers in the faith. This is the slow work of teaching converts what it looks like to follow Jesus daily.
- Phase 6: Help – Standing with believers through the fallout of faith. In many cultures, following Jesus leads to family rejection or persecution. The missionary helps them apply the Bible to these complex trials.
- Phase 7: Discover – Helping converts identify their unique spiritual gifts. This is the transition from being a student to being a contributor to the body of Christ.
- Phase 8: Affirm – Publicly acknowledging local leaders and gifts. This culminates in appointing elders and deacons, ensuring the church is truly indigenous and self-led.
Measuring Relationships, Not Activity
The distinction of these phases is that they do not provide a checklist of tasks to be completed in a specific order. God may move someone through these phases quickly or slowly. The missionary’s role is to respond to the Holy Spirit’s movement. By measuring the depth of the relationship, the missionary ensures that the church is built on a solid foundation rather than a superficial program.
FAQs
Can you be in multiple phases at once?
Yes. You may be in the Trust phase (2) with the community at large while simultaneously being in Gospel Conversations phase (4) with a specific family. The framework helps you navigate individual and communal relationships.
What happens if a missionary skips a phase?
Skipping phases, such as moving to Gospel Conversations before establishing Trust, often leads to the community inoculating themselves against the message. They may view the missionary as an invader or a salesman rather than a friend, causing them to reject the Gospel before they truly understand it.
How do these phases help with prayer?
These phases give sending churches and supporters a specific vocabulary for intercession. Instead of praying a general prayer for success, you can pray specifically for Trust to be built in a hostile village or for local leaders to be Affirmed in a maturing church.
